Best Vampire Diaries Characters

The Top Ten

1Damon Salvatore

I'm also going to say Damon. He's so interesting. Not just because he's extremely attractive, but I like how he's got that whole anti-hero personality to him. He's gone through such an immense amount of pain in his life time and I completely understand why he's want to shut his emotions off. He seems at first to be this cruel character, and I'm not saying his reasons justify his reasons to killing people, but everything he does is mostly out of love. He doesn't do something to get a car or a house but out of love. I personally sympathized with him the most out of everyone. He seemed so alone and so unstable that at times I wanted to grab him through the screen and give him a giant hug. I probably wouldn't watch The Vampire Diaries without him. He's so relatable, interesting, and again very attractive. I wish I had myself a Damon.

Damon has held my interest the most since day one. He is deeply flawed but Ian plays the character as so vulnerable it is hard to hate him no matter what he does. It becomes clear his swagger and humor are to cover his pain. Then as we get pieces of his back story we can relate to him even more. Like Damon, I have made bad judgement calls and been embarrassed. I have lashed out in anger and then regretted it. I have felt rejection and can relate to Damon's pain when Stefan won't trust him or anyone believe in him. Sure, I haven't killed like Damon but he is, after all, a vampire. Damon is fiercely loyal and protective even when clearly misunderstood and unsupported. Plus Ian plays him in such a way we feel the actual push and pull of wanting to just enjoying the blood lust like a vampire would and being human like people want him to be.

I've seen all sides of Damon Salvatore, I've hated him at least once and I'd love him a trillion times back. He's mysterious, dangerous and hot, it just lures you in. You know that he's trouble but its irresistible. The cold, humorous, selfish and mean personality is only his cover, if you dig deep down, he might be the most selfless person that you've ever known, especially when it comes to Stefan and Elena.Favourite quote: Don't get me wrong, Stefan. I don't mind being a bad guy. I'll make all the life and death desicions, while you're busy worrying about collateral damage. I'll even let her hate me for it. But at the end of the day, I'll be the one to keep her alive.

Um...He is the best character, hands down! He is gorgeous and spices the whole show up. Even though Elena is not my favourite character Delena is PERFECT! I wish they would show more of Damon's personal life like his birthday and more about when he was held captive by the Augustines. He is such a sparky, crafty and naughty but you can't not love him! Anyway, he completely deserves to win and I wish there was a whole show dedicated to him!

I'm so damn happy that Katherine lived, and.. Well... I'm not really sad about what she did to Elena. I liked Elena more as a human. But Katherine... I just love her in all the ways! I like her when she's selfless, and even when she's selfish. I'm happy that Katherine's back at being Katherine again. I was really looking forward to 500 Year of Solitude, and I was at the verge of tears when Katherine was gonna die.

Katherine is by far in the TVD universe one of the best characters. I vote for her because she is just a boss in so many ways. And not even damn Damon could beat her in my opinion. He always came second or third for me, but Katherine has more than that. She got her baby taken from her by her father, having to survive for 500 years as a vampire, and even running to survive. And in the end, she doesn't even deserve the fate she deserves. By sending her to oblivion? After she can't even be with Stefan? Wow, life IS cruel, you were right Katherine.

No Matter what anyone says, Katherine is one of the coolest characters in the Show. Elena is so annoying, I really hate her. But I love katherine. Katherine has a background story and her reasons to be the way she is. I always shipped her with Stefan. I hate it so much that elena is portrayed as an ANGEL by everyone and Katherine as a Devil? (-.-). Nina Dobrev is a great actress

I love Klaus. His character development is the one who got me really hooked to the show. Klaus can have moments where he does selfish or bad things but most of the time for me, I sympathize with him because of his harsh childhood and life really which is why no matter how much wrong he does, I will also love him. Also as a bonus he is so damn hot! Joesph does an amazing job portraying him and I couldn't imagine anyone but Joseph portraying Klaus.

So sexy. Has a kind of cynical sense of humor, but can be sweet on occasion. I love how much he loves Caroline. - krpm

Klaus is a original hybrid! It doesn't get much better than that. Not only is he the first supernatural cross-breed in the world, but he is also one of the most powerful characters in all the vampire diaries universe. Few people have actually been known to beat him, and fewer are actually alive right now. And that character development! He went from mysterious, and scary ancient Vampire, to super powerful, and awesome hybrid with almost no limits!

There is no character on that show that has the emotional depth that Stefan carries. He's good, He's bad...whichever side, He plays it to perfection. Damon might be working the emotionally unstable vamp in all its sexiness but Stefan just stays grounded even when he's hurting.

He's hands down the most developed, complex character on the show. He is played very well by Paul Wesley who portrays the emotional complexities and faults within this character. Stefan deserved more than Damon, who was in no way the "better brother". I am a massive Stefan and Elena shipper as they were adorable, soul mates and in love and a major plot line of this T.V. show! - Stefansalvatore

Although we all love Damon, Stefan always respects everyone's decisions (especially Elena's) even though he loves her to bits. He's a complex, interesting character who's been dragged through hell and back. Ridiculously selfless, he always hangs on no matter how much pain he is in. I am a HUGE Stelena shipper and I've always felt that he was the original Salvatore guy. It was an epic love and they were soul mates when Elena was human beyond doubt. I'll always wait for my Stefan Salvatore!

She is the best and strongest female character. She had basically been sexually assaulted by Damon in season 1 and managed to get over it and still be a strong women. She survived turning into a vampire all by herself and looked after herself. She was tortured and still protected her friends. She would be goals for any strong dependent women and she still seems to be overlooked!

There's just something about Caroline...she evolved so much from her original self. She became stronger, and dealt with all the pain in her life and not once broke down or gave up or turned of her humanity. She made the best out of being a vampire, and ended up gaining out of it. She is kind, sweet, sticks by her friends, and by far my favourite character in Vampire Diaries.

Caroline is easily the best vampire diaries character. Normally I vote for the hot guy. In this case I would vote for Jeremy. If Caroline wasn't a character. She kicks butt. She is funny. She is also nice.

Caroline is a strong independent women she is loyal and kind hearted she is extremely pretty and such a badass she's a survivor because she never gives up she doesn't judge anyone and sees the good in everyone she also believwe in innocence until proven guilty for instance Klaus doesn't have a very pleasant past but she learns to forgive him she is honest and caring s he is insecure which makes me like her more because she isn't full of herself she's always loved Stefan but kept her feelings in until the end I honest can't pick between steroline and klaroline they are both adorable another reason why I love her is because she has a killer voice and she's not afraid to use it she develops an amazing relationship with everyone also you see in the beg lining she is quite immature and insecure but gradually she becomes strong and mature I mean this women becomes a mother and even then she took full responsibility honestly this women is my queen 👑👑👑

Bonnie is among the top three on my list. There's so many scenes just showing how great she is, I mean remember the old decades dances where Bonnie died trying to kill Klaus while Elena watched at the door screaming for her witchy powers to unlock the door. However we later found that she was alive. And in the new season we see how truly perfect her character is as she is trapped alone in the 1970's.

Bonnie is the only character in the whole series who, until the end, never did anything that I found annoying, immoral, or wrong. Not only that, but throughout the series, even though she is in it less than Elena and Caroline, she has the most realistic and relatable personality of everyone on the show. Lastly, throughout all of the weird plot lines of the show, she is the only character who I have loved throughout all of it. Bonnie Bennett is my favorite character!

Repetitively sacrifices herself for her friends without expecting anything in return. And often not telling anyone what she's given up for them. Damon does this as well, she just does it all the time.

Bonnie is a great witch and a very beautiful, strong and selfless girl! Damn, she is the most powerful witch! Bow down others witches!

Here's why people do not like elena. She keeps doing stupid with her excuse that she's only trying to save everyone but 3/4 of THEM end up dying because of HER. And let's not forget how she killed thousands of vampires(good or bad) by killing two originals. Her friends lost their family members or their lovers because of her and she would play all innocent and place the blame on someone else then she ended up forgiven. All also when she turned of her humanity and killed a lot of people and even tried to kill her best friends a couple of times and she wouldn't even want hear any of it after. She also switched between two brothers for who knows how many episodes. She also hurt people's feelings but she's the one acting angry.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SHE ALWAYS MAKES EVERYTHING ABOUT HER!

Easily my least favorite character. She has said negative things about her friend and acts all innocent when she is not. She manipulates Stefan and Damon. Remember when she told Damon it would always be Stefan. But yet we find her making out with Damon. I literally like almost all the characters but I had to stop watching this show because of Elena. Sorry if you like her.

I honestly don't get why people hate Elena? I mean she is the main character so if you don't like her then why do you watch the show? Also I get how people say that she makes things about herself. BUT FOR REAL SHE didn't ASK EVERYONE TO PROTECT HER! THEY JUST DO. She is beautiful inside and out. She is caring, kind, smart, athletic, and a strong person. She lost so many people and is still kind to people. I was so sad when Nina left! Elena is amazing and haters need to SHUT UP!

Ok people need to stop hating on Elena. She is sweet and kind and cares about everyone, and is a great daughter, sister, friend, and lover. She is thoughtful and is a great role model. Is it her fault that everyone loves her and wants to protect her? No! I admire her and I think that she is a great role model.

Rebekah seems to have a list of contradicting personality traits that apply for her. She can act catty, ruthless, selfish, erratic, and vindictive, but deep down, she's a sweet girl who loves her family and wants nothing more than to find love and to be loved, or at least accepted and sympathised with for once.

There are just SO many things to admire about this character and I was intrigued by her by the moment this show started. She is so forgiving towards her brother Klaus, and yes she has betrayed him, wronged him, and shown vindictiveness, but the fact remains that she was willing to put up with his cruelty for over a thousand, remaining by his side and still loving him, and the only reason why she acted this way at time is because he stood in the way of her happiness, acted like he owned her, was cruel to her, used her, and took her for granted. She is an admirably fierce, strong, and courageous character, and I ...more

Rebekah is the most nice pearson and tries to have a neat family but her idiotic brother klaus always gets involved in everything and ruins everything and I'm not even done her stupid father ruined her family and turned into vampires and he also want to kill his kid maybe the little idiotic guy should back off so this is why rebekah should go higher on the list she should be second or first on the top ten list

Rebekah is a great character because whilst she's one of the strongest and oldest characters you still see a little sister in her. You feel sorry for her sometimes. You get to see that she is a nice person she has feelings like everyone else just the perfect combination of them

Alaric is by far my favourite 'Vampire Diaries' character. He was really interesting and had great depth to him that not many other characters had. His character was realistic and relatable and above all he was actually a very interesting and moral person. I also love Elijah, Damon and Caroline is aloso okay, especially as a vampire.

Hands down best character after Damon, Klaus and Elijah come close behind

Elijah has the sexiest accent I have ever heard and that honourable guy act he puts is quite attractive too.

Amazing character I love how he is so forgiving and yet such a bad ass killing anyone who gets in his way yet when we get to the original's T.V. show he is so determined to protect hayley and hope in the hope that it will bring out the humanity in his brother

I love everything about him- his quiet wit and surprisingly warm heart snuck up on me and made him one of my favorite characters.

The Contenders

11Jeremy Gilbert

I hate his character and was hoping he would leaving sooner than later. All he does is walk around complaining all the time. He blames everyone around him for his problems.. He is in search of a purpose and when he finds that purpose as a hunter, he is still complaining. He is always when Bonnie was alive always in her business as if he was her manager. He would try and tell her when and how she should use her magic. UGH! I feel as if they were trying to make him into some kind of sex symbol but that didn't. He's either walking around shirtless or working out lifting weights. He walks around as if he is some kind body builder, boy sit down please!. I was hoping he would get killed off and just leave.

Best. Arms. Ever. No one can argue with that.

His character is so boring and so is bonnie's character. I wish they would kill him off again he really is useless

He’s peng asf all u blind ass dumb bitches who didn’t vote for him are blind ya’ll need to take a trip down to speck savers

I never liked Tyler. Klaus would have been so much better for Caroline. Tyler was more focused on revenge than Caroline. Klaus would have forgotten the revenge instantly if it meant that he could be with Caroline. Even if it were just for a minute. He would go to the ends of the earth for her.

I love Tyler. At first he was the character I hated most but then he really proved himself. Just like Damon they were both selfish,narcassistic and I honestly hated them the most but they both proved themselves and I think that they have come a long way from the beginning. When Tyler died (well Damon killed him) my heart sunk and I really hated Damon for it but it most mostly Sybil's fault everyone in this fandom can agree that she is the main reason that Tyler died. Unfortunately Tyler didn't make it all the way till the end but for me he was a real producer to the show and he will always be my favourite character in the show.

I liked him since he became a werewolf but that wore off and I STARTED TO DISLIKE HIM. Caroline had done so much to get him free if Klaus and because of her he's still alive but he chose revenge than Caroline and he kept on leaving her.

Just one word: urgh. Don't like how he treated Vicky, don't like how he treated Jeremy, am not into werewolves that much (Tyler urgh, Mason urgh,...) - good riddance.

Have you watched season six? He was a jerk to pick on Tyler when he was going through up a rough patch (his girlfriend tried to commit suicide! ) Kidnapped Enzo when he killed someone, a loser someone ( why do you care about Enzo killing someone when Damon, Stefan, Caroline, Elena and your sister has killed before! ) He admitted that he hates vampires and has said that they are 'Monsters'

He's gorgeous and also a very good person! He passed lot of bad events, and he deserves the 1 place!

Kinda boring, but he grows on you.

Matt is always crying about something. Woe is me. Every scene is about him crying over this and that. If its not his mother, its Elena, or Caroline, or Stephan or Damon. Dude get over it. Can he ever have a good day and smile. If Mystic Falls is so terrible.. LEAVE!. I saw the clip when he read for Stephan, Fail!. He sounds like a meat head. Uh Elena, uhhh, you want to have coffee. uhhh..

I love his apathetic nature paired with a wonderful sense of humor. I love how calm he is before going in for the kill so that it's truly terrifying and unpredictable - this is something we haven't seen from a villain on the show at all. Sure Klaus was scary, but his erratic behavior always made it known who he was going to kill next and Elijah while he does have that calm demeanor when he kills it's always clean and calculated taking the element of surprise and thus the scariness out of it. Kai had a way of being unpredictable and yet calculated because who really saw him stabbing Bonnie coming and who thought he was going to kill that cab driver. He made every kill so cavalier that you couldn't quite grasp whether he was being friendly or murderous (which is true to the sociopath MO). Anyways I just absolutely loved his character and season 7 would been a lot better if he was apart of it.

Kai was definitely the best character hands down, he deserves to be at least in the top five. His character was so menacing, mischievous and he honestly brought life back to TVD. Unlike the other former villains like Klaus and Damon, he never got soft and mushy, he was just badass and I guess that's why so many people loved Kai. As well as his amazing hilarious personality, he was very charming, good-looking, witty and sarcastic. He reminds me of season 1 Damon, just more crazier and evil. Plec made an idiotic decision to cut him off the show in season 6, she could've really explored his character. Bonnie and Kai, in my opinion, could've been explored more, they would've made a golden couple, honestly. So this is why that sociopathic homicidal lunatic is my favourite character from TVD

Probably the most dangerous villain just do to the fact that he seems absolutely harmless until he's not. He's the only one who could lull you into a sense of security. Every other villain had a way about them that made them dangerous and untrustworthy all the time, but with Kai you could never quite tell.

Such an interesting and deep character... You can relate and understand his pain and rage. He's smart, cunning and angry enough to get what he wants but he's loyal and strong too. You can't decide either you should hate or love him. The best minor character since Klaus appeared.

I loved this character for, like, a season or two. But his relationship with Lily makes me want to slap him, and his affection for her ruined Caroline and Enzo!

I love enzo so much and I think he is so kind but also used to be one of the evil ones which is why I like him so much

I think Enzo’s character is so different compared to anyone else’s. He usually did the wrong things, for the right reasons and that made his character so interesting and you can’t help but love him. His charming looks and sexy accent is definitely a bonus.

I have to say that as Kol's humanity grew stronger, especially in the Originals, I began to completely despise his character. What I loved about him was his careless impulsivity, his charming and playful attitude that could be used both in joking situations as well as right before he's about to rip someone's head off. I love how unpredictable he is and, I won't lie, he's also the most attractive character (to me, anyways) on the show hands down. His personality increases that. But when they start to make him kind and compassionate...blegh. We have other characters for that. They don't all have to be good! I loved the sociopathic younger brother vibe he had going on. Anyways, he'll always remain my favorite character. Truly in love with Kol Mikaelson.

I was actually hoping to see kol in the top 5 after Damon Nicklaus Elijah and Lexi as in his time in the show he causes so much trouble and he's just so amazing his character is played so well and you can't blame him for being a sociopath considering he was in a box for 900 years

Kol was always the best, charming, roughish and just down right unpredictable, he added spice that was just right into an otherwise orderly plan.

Kol has the sexiest accent and he's the tallest Original. He's also a witch, and apparently "crazy." Crazy is so hot.

Haley Marshall, she's the most loyal loving character in the entire vampire diaries universe.

Best character I have ever seen. So much detail and development. 5x06 left me in tears.

I HATE THIS BITCH SO MUCH GET THE HYPOCRITE WORST ACTRESS LOSER AWAY FROM ME - 123fortandbree

18Lexi Branson

I loved Lexi. She showed us a side of Stefan that we otherwise wouldn't have seen. She was the ultimate best friend and other half of Stefan. And I liked how there was never any romance between them. They were just two souls that looked out for one another.

She must be in the top 10. Though she plays only a cameo in the series, she really completes Stefan's character, and she's pretty cool herself.

I loved her she want one of the only hopes for the boys once they turned of their emotions

My favourite character by far such an interesting character filled with history

She was amazing and she was such a strong part of the show how even though she died she stayed with Jeremy when she died I just felt so upset and the fact she went to such long lengths to see her mother again

She was so strong and beautiful and cared about the people around her so heavily that she was willing to do anything for them. I was always the epitome of class and sacrifice and perfectly represented the people around her! Oh R.I.P ANNA

She is the best mother in the whole entire series and best human (Matt can screw up sometimes and can be a jerk) She never did anything bad and she made you cry when she died of cancer (you guys should of listened when I said spoilers) No one has ever made me cry like her

She is awesome at tracking vampire's

Damon would ha e news ed, and deserved, a mother like Liz it is not casual ne loves Liz that mich.

NO ONE LIKES THIS BITCH - 123fortandbree

22Rose

It would've been much easier for the show to let her live so Damon would forget Elena and it wouldn't be do irritating to watch annoying ass Elena not being able to pick between two brothers. She managed to make Damon care for her and show his human side in a very short time and he even cried when he had to kill her. I knew she was pretty with short hair but she was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL when she had that long wavy hair. I love her character because she ended up with a werewolf bite when she protected Damon even though they only met in a short time.

I love her and her story. She's the best character next to Katherine and Bonnie.

23Silas

The most powerful, and the best among the rest

Vampires are silly perversion of me...

Silas was just a dumb, power-hungry version of Stefan.

24Liz Forbes

She's certainly a terrific character. The way she looks out for her daughter and her friends, while at the same time taking care of the people of the city, she must be much higher up in the list.

She deserved better. I love Liz - Organ

25Luke Parker

I don't understand how anyone can hate Luke. Defiantly my favorite character in the entire series

I appreciate the diversity of adding in a gay character on the show

26Josette Laughlin

Who doesn't love her?

27Hope Mikaelson

28Mikael Mikaelson

He is Sebastian Roche any reason not to vote for that?

29Nadia Petrova

She was my second favrioute character after Katherine she died in such a upsetting way and deserves to be higher in this list and a longer part in Vampire Diaries

Katerina (Katherine) Petrova's beautiful daughter.

30Wes Maxfield

My drama teacher friend plays Wes

31Sybil

She is the most evil villain on the universe!

32Lily Salvatore

I love lily - Organ

33Finn Mikaelson

Wish they had used him more

Definitely the most underrated member of the Mikaeldon clan.

In The Originals he's the best villain for me, BUT... He's very annoying because he's helping Esther and I don't like her😑

34Vicky Donovan

Ugh. THANK GOD they killed her off early. Looked to be in her late 20's, nothing redeeming about her--town slut, stupid, mean, horse faced selfish bitch. No layers.

35John Gilbert

Hate him when he killed Anna and Pearl. They didn't deserve to die because they were good vampires who just want to have a normal life without killing people for blood. And Anna was his nephew's girlfriend for god's sake.

Easily the most annoying character in the series. Tyler Lockwood isn't even half as annoying as he is.

36Isobel

Yeah I like Isobel one of my favourite characters after Elena Gilbert of course.

37Harper

38Andie Star

39Marcel Gerard

40Qetsiyah

She may not have had a lot of screen time but she waited 2,000 years to get revenge, she is the origin of a woman scorned!

Easily the second most powerful witch in the Vampire Diaries universe after Silas. Even powerful witches like Dahlia and Freya don't stand a chance against her. Should have had a lot more screen time.

41Liv Parker

42Amara

Why do people insist that I should pity this character? Seriously, I don't pity those that fall victim to karmic justice. "But her only crime was falling in love" Umm...no. She crossed Qetsiyah, not just by stealing her fiancé (which is a crime all in its own, but not the root of the problem) but also used her to get immortality. If she was so in love with Silas she could have just ran away with him and lived out uer life blissfully in love, not scheme and manipulate with her boyfriend to cross over a friend (at least I assume since she was the one closest to her). She deserved what she got -- true tragedies stem from an injustice which just isn't in her story. Sorry Nina Dobrev fans, just because you like the actor doesn't make the character likable, they're two very separate entities.

43Atticus Shane

Introduced Bonnie to Expression magic, we would not have gotten that powerful of a Bonnie without him.